Essex Visa Fraud Charges Dropped

Charges against a woman accused of conspiring with an Essex man to falsely issue visas to immigrants have been dropped.

Violet Savizon had been accused of the fraud along with fellow immigration officer Samuel Shoyeju, who has already admitted misconduct in public office by falsely granting indefinite leave to remain to non-EU residents.

At Basildon Crown Court, prosecutor Lucy Kennedy asked Judge Christopher Mitchell to instruct not guilty verdicts on counts of conspiracy and facilitating in issuing false visas to non-EU residents and misconduct in public office.

The charges centred upon the fact Shoyeju used Savizon's date stamp to authorise the visas. Ms Kennedy said Shoyeju has now indicated that he did this without Savizon's knowledge.

Shoyeju, 53, of Namur Road, Canvey Island, worked for the UK Border Agency in Croydon at the time of the offences in 2008.

Judge Christopher Mitchell remanded Shoyeju in custody and warned him he faces a "significant custodial sentence".

Savizon, 47, from Buckingham Avenue, Thornton Heath, did not comment as she left court.